6 New French Books You Should Read
As French literary award season unfolds, juries highlight new works worthy of your ever-expanding reading list—plus one overlooked gem you shouldn’t miss.
The Prestige of French Literary Prizes
The Prix Goncourt, France’s most prominent literary distinction, offers a symbolic cheque of €10. Many winners frame it and display it with pride, often spending more on the frame than the prize itself. The Prix Renaudot, by contrast, carries no financial reward but holds immense cultural weight. Together with the Prix Médicis, the Femina Prize, and the Académie Française’s Grand Prix du Roman, these honors dramatically boost book sales and shape the year’s literary conversation.
Featured Work: La Maison Vide (The Empty House)
Only one round of voting was needed for the Prix Goncourt jury to crown Laurent Mauvignier’s La Maison Vide the winner. The novel offers an introspective, fourth wall-breaking journey into the author’s family history, beginning with his great-great-grandmother and unfolding through heirlooms and memories. Spanning 750 pages, the book carries a subtle thrill, blending personal reflection and mystery.
Before its Goncourt triumph, La Maison Vide had already won the Prix littéraire Le Monde and the Prix des libraires de Nancy-Le Point, and it was also nominated for the Femina Prize.
“It needed just one round of voting by the jury of the Prix Goncourt to award the prestigious literary prize to Laurent Mauvignier for La Maison Vide.”
Summary
This year’s French literary awards showcase powerful new voices, with Mauvignier’s La Maison Vide emerging as the standout exploration of memory, legacy, and the allure of storytelling.
Author’s Resume: A concise guide to France’s major literary awards and the acclaimed novels defining this year’s cultural landscape.